The tenth full-length release by My Dying Bride was titled, “For Lies I Sire”. It was released on March 22, 2009 (April 21, 2009 in the US) via Peaceville Records.
Background:
“For Lies I Sire” is the first album without keyboardist Sarah Stanton since she joined My Dying Bride in 2004 for their “Songs of Darkness, Words of Light” album. Musically, it is their first album since 1996's “Like Gods of the Sun” to feature a violin, performed by new band member Katie Stone. The album was recorded during September 2008 in Manchester's Futureworks Studio.
Andrew Craighan stated that the feel of the album is, in his words, "heading for empty and bleak with flashes of rage." Vocalist Aaron Stainthorpe stated in an interview that “For Lies I Sire” is "quite possibly the most depressing thing we've created to date", and that it's an album that unites the past of the band with the future.
The album is the first since 1996's album “Like Gods of the Sun” to feature a violin, this time performed by new keyboardist and violinist Katie Stone. The idea of using violin again has been described by Stainthorpe as adding "a deep range of feeling". The violin parts were well received by critics.
"A Chapter in Loathing" begins with the same riff that closed the band's last album, “A Line of Deathless Kings”.
This was the first studio release featuring keyboardist/violinist Katie Stone, drummer Dan Mullins and bassist Lena Abé, although the latter two also featured on the 2008 live CD/DVD “An Ode to Woe”. Stone resigned from the post to focus on her studies soon after the release of the album, to be replaced by Shaun MacGowan for the upcoming tour and “Bring Me Victory” EP.
Critical Reception:
The album was well received by critics. Thom Jurek of Allmusic especially praised Aaron Stainthorpe, calling his vocals "better than ever" and his lyrics "beautifully poetic and streamlined". Jurek also pointed out the entire band being on top-notch, with several good hooks in all instruments, and called the album both a good introduction to the band for new fans, and a good follow-up to fans of all the previous albums.
David E. Gehlke of Blistering.com called “For Lies I Sire” to be My Dying Bride's second best album after 1999's “The Light at the End of the World”, and especially praised the work of new drummer Dan Mullins, noting that he put out an "inspired performance, even getting colossal drum roll treatment on “My Body, A Funeral” and the Death Metal-tinged “A Chapter in Loathing".
At the same time, several critics have noted the departure of Death grunts on the later albums, including “For Lies I Sire”. Trey Spencer of Sputnikmusic feels it has the album lacking important parts and calling it "a shame... because musically this is some of the best material they’ve released in over a decade". He also adds that he enjoys the album, but is "constantly waiting for a little extra kick that never comes".
Especially the return of the violin, as performed by Katie Stone, has been praised by critics; the aforementioned SputnikMusic critic noted that Stone often performed in style of past violinist Martin Powell, only using the violin sparsely on certain passages, to surprise the listener. He especially praised the violin usage in the song “My Body, a Funeral”, noting that it "is used in a way that seems to extend the lyrics despite the lack of any words".
David E. Gehlke of Blistering.com especially praised the album's interplay between the guitar riffs of Andrew Craighan's and Hamish Glencross, and Katie Stone's violin.
Links to Arrists, Music & Videos:
Click this link to follow My Dying Bride on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyDyingBrideOfficial
Click this link to listen to “For Lies I Sire” via Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/for-lies-i-sire/306020783
Click this link to watch the official music video for “Bring Me Victory”: https://youtu.be/bSRJmtBGNYc
Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells
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